UPDATED 5/9: May is "Mental Health Awareness Month," 1 in 5 Americans have a mental illness

Since May is “Mental Health Awareness Month" I thought I’d share some of my experiences and provide some information on these brain disorders.  First some stats.

It sounds alarming but 1 in 5 Americans have a mental health condition of some kind in a given year.  According to NIMH only half are treated! 25% of all mental health conditions are serious in nature and can significantly impair one’s life.  We all know bipolar (4.4%), schizophrenia (1.1%) and major depression (18.4%) are serious but OCD (2.3%), eating disorders (3%), PTSD (6.8%), panic disorder (4.7%), and depression in childhood fall into that category too. 

Other amazing statistics from NAMI and the NIMH:   One half of all chronic mental illnesses begin at age 14 and 75% begin by age 24.  Suicide is the 3^rd largest killer of our children and 90% of all suicides have an underlying mental illness.  26% of the homeless have a serious mental illness.  

One of my jobs years ago was selling a SSRI similar to Prosac for OCD, lithium for bipolar and Ritalin for ADHD.  So, I know a thing or two.  What attracted me most to the job was a serious mood disorder I've struggled with since graduation in college. The stress of having to find a good job after school brought on a Major depression that kept me on the couch for months.  Back then there were no SSRI’s or other anti-depressants.  All I could find for treatment was a psychologist with kid toys on the floor!  It was all I could do to force myself to get off the couch and walk my way down the driveway.  It finally ran it's course..... many times over the years.  

Today there are easily 30 or more medications available for mental conditions and if you look hard there's some very good doctors.  I go to an awesome doctor at Overlake Medical Center’s out-patient clinic.  The exceptional doctors know how to fine tune your recovery with combinations of appropriate medications.  Just last month after testing by a Neuropsycologist my doctor diagnosed me with Adult ADHD.  One third of childhood ADHD continues into adulthood so now I'm taking a stimulant, getting cognitive behavioral therapy and taking ownership of my illness.

I want to thank the Mayor and council for funding an outreach specialist to identify homeless with psychiatric disorders to help them find human service support.  I also want to thank the city's Humans Services Committee for their emphasis on funding for our youth.  We have far to few councilors in our schools.  I want to thank the Kiwanians who  prepare and serve dinners at Friends of Youth.  Many of these youth are homeless and without food or shelter. It's wonderful local communities are starting to embrace the mentally ill.       

Please don’t hesitate to talk to your friends and acquaintances about mental health care if you think they are struggling.  The doctors at Overlake and the Kaiser Behavioral clinic in Factoria are excellent.  I’m not so sure about Virginia Mason-Kirkland and EvergreenHealth doesn't offer services at this time. Overlake Church in Redmond hosts “Celebrate Recovery” where mild anxieties, mild depressions, addictions and other hurts are addressed.  NAMI Eastside offers excellent family support programs.     

I’m retired and it feels good to finally speak up without fear of losing a job or not getting hired. The stigma is ebbing and we’re moving forward.  I’m confident a day will come when poor brain health is accepted just like other ailments.  

B. Yoder